Reported incidents of antisemitism increased ‘over 300%’ in a year, says special envoy
The prime minister is appearing alongside the special envoy to combat antisemitism, as she delivers recommendations in response to the alleged arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue.
Anthony Albanese says:
There is no place in Australia for antisemitism. The kind of hatred and violence that we have seen on our streets recently is despicable and it won’t be tolerated and I want those responsible to face the full force of the law.
My government has taken a series of actions to crackdown on antisemitism and one of the things that we did last year, a year ago, it was to appoint Jillian Segal as a special envoy to combat antisemitism.
Segal says reported incidents of antisemitism increased “over 300%” in a year, including “threats, vandalism, harassment and physical violence”. She is outlining the plan – “an overarching one covering many areas where urgent action is needed”:
It brings structure, priorities and accountability to our national response and it is not a symbolic document. It is an action plan and it addresses antisemitism in many places in our laws, classrooms, universities, media, workplaces, online spaces and public institutions. It calls on government and society and leaders to support the initiatives. In addition to measures to counter antisemitism, there is also the positive side that it looks at and that is increasing the vibrancy of Jewish life.
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Updated at 03.41 CEST
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Josh Butler
Coalition backs antisemitism plan but accuses Labor of a ‘lack of leadership’
The Coalition opposition has backed Jillian Segal’s plan to tackle antisemitism, but claims the Labor government has demonstrated a “lack of leadership” on the issue.
The opposition leader, Sussan Ley, noted Anthony Albanese had not directly committed to implementing any specific measures from the antisemitism envoy’s recommendations. She said Australians “deserve some clarity” on the government’s plans.
“This report shows antisemitism is not just a problem of security or law enforcement. It’s a cultural and societal cancer that needs attention through our schools, universities, media, and even the arts,” she said.
The shadow attorney general, Julian Leeser, who is Jewish, also accused Labor of a “lack of commitment”.
“Fighting the tidal wave of antisemitism cannot be left to the envoy alone, it needs the prime minister’s commitment, not just to hear the envoy’s advocacy, but to action her policies,” he said.
In such an environment we want to see the prime minister leading the fight on antisemitism and being accountable for the outcome. It’s time his actions matched his words.
The shadow home affairs minister, Andrew Hastie, called for “a whole-of-government response”, demanding “the full weight of the commonwealth’s resolve, starting with the prime minister”.
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Updated at 05.27 CEST
Missing teen surfer found on island 14km from shore
More on the 19-year-old found safe on a remote island off the northern NSW coast after a night missing.
Darcy Deefholts left his home in Wooli on a bike about 2.30pm yesterday, heading towards Wooli beach, NSW police said. When he didn’t come home, family contacted police.
Following a land and water search including local police, PolAir, Marine Area Command and Marine Rescue, he was found safe today 14km from Wooli beach, on a small island in the North Solitary Island Nature Reserve, NSW Police said.
Darcy Deefholts left his home in Wooli on a bike about 2.30pm yesterday, heading towards Wooli beach, NSW police said. When he didn’t come home, family contacted police.Following a land and water search around including local police, PolAir, Marine Area Command and Marine Rescue, he was found safe today 14km from Wooli beach, on a small island in the North Solitary Island Nature Reserve, NSW Police said.Share
Updated at 04.57 CEST
The CEO of X, Elon Musk’s social network, has announced she will resign.
“After two incredible years, I’ve decided to step down as CEO of 𝕏,” Linda Yaccarino wrote.
Musk replied to her tweet: “Thank you for your contributions.”
The outgoing CEO said, “When @elonmusk and I first spoke of his vision for X, I knew it would be the opportunity of a lifetime to carry out the extraordinary mission of this company. I’m immensely grateful to him for entrusting me with the responsibility of protecting free speech, turning the company around, and transforming X into the Everything App.”
Read more from reporters Blake Montgomery and Nick Robins-Early here:
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Updated at 05.07 CEST
Internet prices on the rise
Internet prices are on the rise for a majority of Australian households, according to a comparison website.
Canstar Blue said more than half of NBN providers have passed on an increase in wholesale costs to their customers – including Telstra, Optus and TPG – but some providers have chosen not to do so.
Shopping around and being willing to switch providers could save customers $325 a year, the comparison site said in a statement today.
Canstar Blue’s utilities editor, Tara Donnelly, said that at “a time of increased cost of living, there’s no doubt news that it will cost more just to access the internet would be hard to hear for plenty of households around Australia”:
While it might seem easier for some to just accept the increase, taking 10 minutes to review what they’re currently paying against competitive offers in the market could mean switching to a better plan that may save hundreds of dollars.
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Updated at 04.35 CEST
PM reiterates PBS, media bargaining code and biosecurity laws ‘not on the table’ in Trump tariff negotiations
Anthony Albanese says the pharmaceutical benefits scheme, media bargaining code and biosecurity laws “are not on the table for negotiations” with the US.
The prime minister was asked whether the government’s “planned local content on streaming services or the news media bargaining code” will be “potential … bargaining chips” to protect exports as the US president, Donald Trump, threatens a potential 200% tariff on pharmaceuticals.
Albanese said:
On trade and tariffs, we are continuing to engage in the national interest with the United States but I’ve made it very clear that the issues such as the pharmaceutical benefits scheme, the media bargaining code that is about not tax, that is about journalists being paid for the work that they do, and our bio laws to protect our agricultural interests are not on the table for negotiations, they are a part of who Australia is. So we will continue to engage.
My government has made considerable effort to make medicines cheaper for Australians, and they will be $25, the same price that they were in 2004 … That is what Australians voted for on the third of May and they voted for it in substantial numbers.
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Updated at 03.59 CEST
PM avoids question over potential funding withdrawals
Asked whether institutions like arts bodies and universities could have funding withdrawn over antisemitism within the year, Albanese says:
The concept from this report … about making sure that that is clearly articulated to the different decision-makers and things like that, is something that is already possible, and something that there are extractions that can be taken as of this report, but I wouldn’t like to put a deadline on something.
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Updated at 04.21 CEST
More from joint conference from PM and special envoy to combat antisemitism
Asked whether his government is committing to the plan recommended by the special envoy to combat antisemitism in full, Albanese says his government will “work constructively with the envoy”:
We welcome the plan, to be very clear. Some of the plan requires a long-term approach, some of it requires action by state governments, some of it requires action by society. By the people watching this media conference as well. What we will do is work constructively with the envoy.
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Updated at 03.34 CEST
Albanese: ‘I have been an advocate of two states in the Middle East for my entire political life’
Asked about how the government will ensure the plan recommended by the special envoy to combat antisemitism “does not prevent legitimate criticisms of Israel including from Jewish Australians,” Anthony Albanese says:
I have released statements with other leaders that have been critical of the actions of the Netanyahu government. I will continue to put forward a position that is consistent with the position that we have taken on the Middle East. But you can put forward those views respectfully. And those criticisms are also made, it might be said, by people in Israel.
There are demonstrations in Israel that are bigger than any of the demonstrations that have been held in Australia. That is a good thing in a democracy. But it is a good thing if it is done in a respectful and clear way. And we will continue, I have been an advocate of two states in the Middle East for my entire political life.
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Updated at 03.36 CEST
Put forward views respectfully, peacefully and in an orderly way, PM says
Responding to a question about whether protests are “fuelling … attacks”, the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, says “you should be able to express your view” in a democracy.
He is speaking live alongside special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal.
Albanese says:
In a democracy, you should be able to express your view here in Australia about events overseas. Where the line has been crossed is in blaming and identifying people because they happen to be Jewish.
Regardless of your views on the Middle East, and there are a range of views across Australian society, put forward those views respectfully, peacefully, orderly. Do not target individuals.
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Updated at 03.58 CEST
Education ‘central’ to special envoy to combat antisemitism’s recommendations
The special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, is delivering recommendations in response to the arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue, alongside the prime minister:
We will look at whether it is now necessary to strengthen hate crime legislation, including provisions relating to not only incitement and vilification and prohibitive symbols which we have, but actual hatred and the speaking of hatred and demonstrated hatred. I look forward to working with the various Attorneys-General, police, prosecutors and the judiciary will be supported with training to apply the laws and understand antisemitism. A national hate crime database, already announced by the government, is in the process of being established, which will improve reporting, monitoring and transparency.
Public-funded institutions like universities and cultural bodies and broadcasters will be expected to uphold consistent standards and demonstrate accountability in fighting antisemitism.
Education is central. It shapes not only what young Australians know but how they think and how they treat others. The plan promotes a nationally-consistent approach to teaching, about the history, harms and modern forms of antisemitism through the lens of democracy, social inclusion, shared civic responsibility in Australian values.
We need to support professional development of teachers and public servants. We need to promote cultural understanding, back trusted voices online and encourage responsible media reporting. Education is the key.
Segal says the plan “is a whole society plan”:
We need leadership from government but we need society, businesses, unions, sporting codes, community associations will be invited and encouraged to take part in this national effort. Universities will continue to be held accountable for improvements. Digital platforms will be engaged directly.
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Updated at 03.41 CEST
Reported incidents of antisemitism increased ‘over 300%’ in a year, says special envoy
The prime minister is appearing alongside the special envoy to combat antisemitism, as she delivers recommendations in response to the alleged arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue.
Anthony Albanese says:
There is no place in Australia for antisemitism. The kind of hatred and violence that we have seen on our streets recently is despicable and it won’t be tolerated and I want those responsible to face the full force of the law.
My government has taken a series of actions to crackdown on antisemitism and one of the things that we did last year, a year ago, it was to appoint Jillian Segal as a special envoy to combat antisemitism.
Segal says reported incidents of antisemitism increased “over 300%” in a year, including “threats, vandalism, harassment and physical violence”. She is outlining the plan – “an overarching one covering many areas where urgent action is needed”:
It brings structure, priorities and accountability to our national response and it is not a symbolic document. It is an action plan and it addresses antisemitism in many places in our laws, classrooms, universities, media, workplaces, online spaces and public institutions. It calls on government and society and leaders to support the initiatives. In addition to measures to counter antisemitism, there is also the positive side that it looks at and that is increasing the vibrancy of Jewish life.
Share
Updated at 03.41 CEST
